Smallville without Lex, Lana, and Chloe?

[Thomas]

As some of you may know, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, and Allison Mack's contracts are up after this season, meaning they all may not comeback next season, except for possible guest stints.

Of course, this leaves Clark, Lois, Jimmy, Kara, and Lionel still on the show, but do you think the show can last it's finale season with the loss of three of it's biggest characters or will Lois, Jimmy, and Kara be enough to replace them? If all three decide to depart, would you like several new characters to be introduced? Who would you like to be the new villain? Would Jimmy and Kara be good enough sidekicks? Would you like the Justice League to be featured even more to fill the void?

I think Laura Vandervoort's episodes will increase to 22 instead of 13 episodes. The other show she's a regular on will end with it's 4th Season, which has wrapped up filming, so I could defiantly see that happening. I also think Aaron Ashmore and Erica Durance will appear in more episode, maybe not 22, but more than 13 episodes.

I could also see Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow returning full time. He recently signed a talent holding deal with The CW, meaning he's signed to do a show with them- being it Justice League, Green Arrow, or a new show. I'm guessing they could also use the deal to add him to Smallville full time. This would open appearances up for Impulse, Cyborg, Aquaman, and Black Canary, along with other Justice League heroes. I also think the Martian Manhunter will probably return, making another potential Justice League member for any potential Justice League spin-off.

Also, depending on how 7.13 ends...

Spoiler:

I could see Pete becoming a recurring character next season.

As for a villain, since I don't think Lionel could revert back to being a villain, he's been good for too long now to be believable. Plus, I'm sure John Glover will be pushed even further into the background, since The CW's unspoken slogan is, "Out with the old, in with the new and more attractive!" I think an interesting villain would be Lobo. He could come to earth looking for Kal-El and Kara Zor-El. Of course, the finale season would need a bigger villain so Doomsday or Darkseid could appear towards the end of the season, possibly leading Lobo to team up with Clark, Kara, and the Justice League since he's more of an anti-hero. They'd have to update him to make him believable on Smallville, of course they could finally make a character wear make-up, the show has always lacked that and I think it's about time they start showing aliens that don't look like they came from Earth.

Of course, I’m hoping at least Allison stays. I think she will most likely, since she hasn’t done much else other than Smallville, while Michael and Kristin have done a few movie here and there. Plus, she'd become the lead female, which looks good on a resume. Though, even if they do depart, I think they’ll all appear at least once each to warp up their storylines even more.

[Willow's Tara]

Get rid of Lex? Okay Lana I would get, and probably Chloe but Lex? I thought the whole superman series was based on Lex/Clark, unless there's some gap when Lex leaves Smallville while Clark is still there...

So season 8 will be the season finale? But I can't imagine Smallville without Lex of all people, and I hope they don;'t kill Chloe off (Lana is in between). Plus I know it's time for Lana/Clark to end and Clark/Lois to start.

And I agree what you said about CW, it would explain why good actors like Amber Benson or John Glover don't seem to be popular as they should be (Despite that I think Amber is Beautiful, and tell you the truth if I was a woman and about twenty years older, then John would be attractive to me as well, but others don't agree about Amber and others). I hope they don't cast Lionel aside, he is a great character.

[DigitalLeonardo]

I understand Lex being kinda gone. I think it would be good to see him leave and come back maybe the last 3 or 4 episodes of the season as a bigger threat (and much more comic Lex rather then Smallville Lex). I think a season gone will help him evolve into that greater villian he is destin to be.

Lana, I kinda wanted her gone by the end of season 3, so if she leaves (or dies) I wouldn't lose sleep over it. She lost her importance after High School. Chloe on the other hand, I don't see her leaving, she has this spark but then again I can see her using her powers one last time to save someone (maybe Clark) and she dies a heroes death. I would miss her cause I think she is a gem and an amazing actor.

Jimmy, Lois and Kara could step up, but I don't think they could do it all on their own. Bringing in the Justice League aspect would be great and maybe even introducing some other characters (have Power Girl come for an episode and have Laura Vandervoort play both rolls).

Season 8 being a final season I hope they go all out with the Comic lore and characters. Maybe even (though doubt it) bring in Batman and WonderWoman! I'd love to see Huntress and The Question. I personlly want Chloe to become Oracle and kinda start her own super hero thing cause seeing her play sidekick for so long, she'd make a great leader.

[Obsessed]

I can't imagine the show ending without Lex! I mean come on. You just can't do that. That's like saying peanut butter and jelly don't belong together. Lana can take a hike for all I care. I don't want Chole to leave but its okay if she does but Lex? No, he has to stay and fight Clark, man!

[DigitalLeonardo]

I can't imagine the show ending without Lex! I mean come on. You just can't do that. That's like saying peanut butter and jelly don't belong together. Lana can take a hike for all I care. I don't want Chole to leave but its okay if she does but Lex? No, he has to stay and fight Clark, man!

I think Lex is alot like Giles. He can move to the other side of the world and he can be out of our lives, but in the end he will be there and we can never get rid of him, not for real.

I would love more stories on Jimmy and Lois, and even getting to see maybe a part two of the "Lucy" episode.

[Cori]

Chloe and especially Lex are my favourite characters and I can honestly not imagine watching SV without them. For me, that would be similar to watching BTVS without Buffy and Spike. Not to mention that I think AM and particularly MR are among the best actors on the show and the show will seriously suffer from their absence. I don't care about Lana at all, IMO she would have been written out of the show a long time ago but I don't think I will watch Smallville anymore when Chloe and Lex are gone. The characters of Clark, Lois and Kara just don't hold my interest enough for that. So since MR is leaving after s7 (unless there are now different circumstances because of the strike), I think s7 will be the last SV season for me.

[Francy]

It was a known fact that after season 7 MR would have left....so I have had time to get used to the idea, and even though Lex and the Clark/Lex relationship is my main interest in this show, I think I can easily go on watching under the right circumstances. I will watch a season 8 only if the Clana crapfest is over by then. Lana's presence in the show has been contrived and forced since season 3 (she's Superman's high-school crush, afterall...HS is long gone) and she's only there because of Goughlar's fixation with Kristen Kreuk (bless her..she isn't to blame). If Clark is allowed to move on from her and face his destiny (it's time, dammit! How long can they keep him sitting in the farm and postpone his training? ), I'll have no problem watching. I don't think Allison Mack will go anywhere, and a show concentrating on Clark, Lois, Chloe, Jimmy and Kara, with the occasional guest appearance by other superheroes (and possibly from Lex), could really remind of the Superman movies, and since I watch SV because I love the Superman saga, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

But I'll just have to wait and see..this show has disappointed me so many times that now I kinda expect it!

[Lex]

Wow, ok I have to say I was surprised to hear this, but honestly? I was DAMN excited.

The stuff they've been doing with Lex, Lana and Chloe recently hasn't been as good as it used to be. I mean Lana's pretty much been annoying ever since she started using her brain, and Chloe's kinda been overshadowed by Lois in my opinion. It was Lex, I was most surprised about due to the dynamics of the whole series pretty much being based around their relationship.

The reason I'm excited is because this means Smallville is going to move on in more ways that it has in years. At the moment nothing big has happened in ages so for this to happen I can imagine big changes from farm boy to reporter.

I'm excited about this change, and although it will be weird to get used to, I've trusted the series for seven seasons, and although it's had its weak spots, i've not stopped watching, so I think i'll give the series another season of dedicated viewing!

[Illyria_Fan]

Wasn't there a Justice League spinoff in the works? I could have sworn there was. I would love to see BC and GA working closer together.

Lana has to go it really has been about time for her to go...
Chloe i'm not much a fan of.
Lex makes the series I mean he is the series other then Clark!

I can let go of Lana and Chloe but not Lex!



Here's hoping to more GA and BC work =) Although Huntress wouldn't be bad to bring in or Vixen ^_^

[Ehlwyen]

I think my love of the show would pretty much be sucked right out if Chloe wasn't there. I'd finish out the show since I've now seen all seasons and am attached. But she's who I look forward to seeing each episode (plus Clark).

I think the show would be better without Lana every episode. More Chloe and Lois time!

And I could live with Lex only coming back for a handful of episodes. I mean he is supposed to be the villain of the story so I can see a season of Smallville with Lex only being present for a handful of arc episodes and other episodes only mentioning his orchestrations. I really don't want to see the show end this year just because Michael Rosenbaum doesn't want to return.

And naturally I agree with any suggestion that involves more Justin Hartley as Green Arrow. (thank you Thomas!)

[Heather]

And here, ladies and gentlemen, comes big, monstrous "Smallville" news. I'm spoiler tagging it just in case since it mentions a spoiler for episode 7.16 (it's a general spoiler but still shocking) and who is expected to return for season 8.

Spoiler:

Question: Now that we know that Smallville's coming back next season, when will we find out which cast members will be returning? - Kirsten

Ausiello: You'll find out right this second (Warning: This spoiler will dramatically and suddenly accelerate, climb, stop and dive. It is not recommended for Smallville fans who are expectant mothers or those with a history of neck or back conditions or heart trouble) OK, here we go: Nearly everyone is expected to return for Season 8 except - wait for it, wait for it - Michael Rosenbaum and Kristen Kreuk. I'll give you a second to catch your breath. [Beat] Sources close to the show tell me that both actors have informed producers that they don't intend to return as series regulars next season. However, they are open to doing limited engagements, and those details are being worked out as we speak. Thanks for riding! Actually, you may wanna stay strapped in for this next one...

AHHHHH!

And, want something else to scream about?! I know I screamed and pounded my desk with agitation.

Spoiler:

Ausiello: Find a calendar and draw a circle around April 17. That's the day the show's first post-strike episode airs. It's also the day a long-running character - a series regular - takes his/her last breath. As in dies. For real. No cloning crap this time around. Got guesses? Post 'em in the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread!

Who wants to play the guessing game? Could it be Lana - considering the mention of the "cloning crap?" Could it be Chloe? Could it be Lionel? We know that it can't be Lex, Lois, Kara, or Clark - and it technically shouldn't be Jimmy, either.

I think it might be Lana since Kristin Kreuk won't be a regular next season and Ausiello said that everybody is expected to be back except Kreuk and Rosenbaum.

But I'm totally freaking the frak out right now.

[BlasterBoy]

AH!

Spoiler:

NO! I'm fine with KK leaving (well, happy, actually), but MR!? At least he'll guest star. But wasn't s7/8 supposed to be him actually turning evil!?

And about the huge, huge spoiler:

Spoiler:

I'm guessing Lana for the reasons you just said. Lex can't die, and he said nearly everyone is expected to return except MR and KK.

[Heather]

New stuff, this time from KryptonSite...

Spoiler:

UPDATED 3/5/08: More details, from a source within the studio: Now that Smallville is officially picked up for an eighth season, negotiations will begin with Allison Mack and Michael Rosenbaum, both of whom had contracts which end with Season Seven. No official deals have been signed for them as of yet. Kristin Kreuk will be back for at least part of Season Eight.

Tom Welling, Aaron Ashmore, Laura Vandervoort, Erica Durance, and John Glover are all still signed and expected to return for the show's eighth year.

So now Allison Mack's status is up in the air, unless this is old news and AM's basically a shoo-in for next season. Also, this says that Kristin Kreuk will be back for part of the season. I guess that's her role as a guest start, then?

[Thomas]

7.16 Spoiler:

Spoiler:

My bets are on Lionel. Smallville has been fading out the older cast for the past three seasons. Also, the episode is called 'Descent,' as in, Lionel's descent into the ground and Lex's descent into darkness.

The murder will probably happen at the end of 7.15, being a cliffhanger, and he'll die at the beginning of 7.16. Hopefully, Lex does it. I could see it playing out over the last five episode with Lois and Clark trying to put Lex behind bars. Lex would go to jail in the finale, this would give Lois some public notice as a reporter. Over Season 8, he can make his few appearances in court and in prison, with Clark or Lois visiting him. Lois would be there to mock him, reminding him that he's going to stay locked up and Clark would go to visit him, becuase Clark still cares about him- or at least parts of him. Then, the series could end with him winning the trial, and getting out, or being sent away, which means when parole comes up, he'll want some revenge on Clark and Lois.

And how come every time I post something about Smallville, it always ends with "...the series could end with..."?

[Heather]

7.16 Spoiler:

Spoiler:

My bets are on Lionel. Smallville has been fading out the older cast for the past three seasons. Also, the episode is called 'Descent,' as in, Lionel's descent into the ground and Lex's descent into darkness.

The murder will probably happen at the end of 7.15, being a cliffhanger, and he'll die at the beginning of 7.16. Hopefully, Lex does it. I could see it playing out over the last five episode with Lois and Clark trying to put Lex behind bars. Lex would go to jail in the finale, this would give Lois some public notice as a reporter. Over Season 8, he can make his few appearances in court and in prison, with Clark or Lois visiting him. Lois would be there to mock him, reminding him that he's going to stay locked up and Clark would go to visit him, becuase Clark still cares about him- or at least parts of him. Then, the series could end with him winning the trial, and getting out, or being sent away, which means when parole comes up, he'll want some revenge on Clark and Lois.

And how come every time I post something about Smallville, it always ends with "...the series could end with..."?

Spoiler:

Yeah, I was trying to read into the title, too. Your theory is very possible and I like it a lot - no, I LOVE it a lot. But I think that SV's version of "Descent" will be somethin along the lines of "Soandso goes into a very deep crack in the earth and is attacked by meteor-freaks." Though, with this season, it's actually very likely that your theory is what will happen considering how drastically mature the show has gotten over the past two years.

I, too, think that it will be Lionel who dies. He's been there from the beginning, they've been phasing out the older cast, his storyline's run it's course, and I can honestly see Lex just murdering Lionel in cold blood. Plus, Ausiello said "his" in the spoiler - which might just be a generalized use of the word (like how a boat is referred to as "she" or whatever) or this can be like VM 3.01 where Ronnie's tipped off as to who committed the faux!game!murder thanks to the Prof's poor word choice. You never know.

I don't think it'll be Chloe, it obviously won't be Lana (unless she appears in flashbacks or as a ghost), and it can't be Lex. All the other characters have been added in recent seasons - and the person who dies is someone who's been on the show for a long time.

[Ehlwyen]

RE: Thomas and Heather's last two posts...

Spoiler:

Oh you give me so much hope that is Lionel. It hurts to breathe just thinking that it may be Chloe to go. *wails*

Okay I was totally glued to all the spoilers about cast negotiations.

Spoiler:

I didn't read anything about what's happening, except the some long running character dies. But I'm really interested to see a season with only limited KK. While Lex lurking out of sight will give him more time to come up with more nefarious plans. So I think it will be a breath of fresh air for the cast change up.

[Thomas]

I'm really interested in seeing what they do with the credits. Will they change them completely or will the just take out MR, KK,

Spoiler:

and the person killed, assuming it's not Lana?

I personally hope we get new credits, since it'll probably/definitely be it's finale season, so why not? I hope AM gets the second spot, or the "And Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan" at the end. I think they're more likely going to go with Clark, Lois, Jimmy, Kara, and Chloe. Or Clark, Chloe, Lois, Jimmy, Kara, and Oliver? Oliver needs to comeback. He's too great of a character. Plus, it'll give a male/female balance and allow the other JL members to return recurringly.

I'm really excited to see how the show goes without several of it's major characters. I'm one of the few people who loves major cast shake-ups on shows.

[skinless]

If they Change the Credits, I think that they should do it In this Order- Clark, Lois, Jimmy, And Allison Mack as Chloe (Assuming Chloe is Still alive) and They should change the Song and What the Credits look like for the Last season. If KK is Limited those days that she is on she Should be Put 2nd in the Credits.

[Thomas]

Lana:

Spoiler:

Hey Team...

So, I thought I would give those of you curious about Smallville a brief debrief. I am in Bangkok for a few more months. So, no shooting of the Ville for me. I will return for a undetermined, although small, number of episodes in season 8.

I am not really opening up the floor for lots of discussion, because it is not really the place for it. Obviously I have loved my time on the show, but I am equally as thrilled to move on to new endeavors. One of which is very dear to me, and that is GBD [Girls By Design]. So thank you all for your really fabulous support and passion!!! I hope this clears up most of the questions...

xoxo
Kristin

So, it seems Lana is leaving, but she'll be back for a few episodes.

Also, about that death...

Spoiler:

apparently, it's someone who's been around since Season 1 who's never been presumed dead. So, that rules out Lana (Season 6/7) and Chloe (Season 3/4 & 6/7). Lex and Clark won't die considering who they are. Plus, I think they've both been presumed dead at one point, definitely Clark in Season 5.

So, that leaves Lionel. I don't think he has every been presumed dead.

The death happens in 7.16, also happening in the episode: Lex confronts Chloe about something he thinks she stole, and the end result isn't pretty. Also, Lois and Jimmy get a lead in a big case.

So, my guess Chloe gets fired and Lois and Jimmy are investigating Lionel's death. But, I have also heard that someone gets killed and someone else get parallelized so, maybe Chloe gets parallelized after Lex does something when he confronts her. Like, maybe he gets rough and pushes her out of a window at the Daily Planet?

[DigitalLeonardo]

Lana:

Spoiler:

So, it seems Lana is leaving, but she'll be back for a few episodes.

Also, about that death...

Spoiler:

apparently, it's someone who's been around since Season 1 who's never been presumed dead. So, that rules out Lana (Season 6/7) and Chloe (Season 3/4 & 6/7). Lex and Clark won't die considering who they are. Plus, I think they've both been presumed dead at one point, definitely Clark in Season 5.

So, that leaves Lionel. I don't think he has every been presumed dead.

The death happens in 7.16, also happening in the episode: Lex confronts Chloe about something he thinks she stole, and the end result isn't pretty. Also, Lois and Jimmy get a lead in a big case.

So, my guess Chloe gets fired and Lois and Jimmy are investigating Lionel's death. But, I have also heard that someone gets killed and someone else get parallelized so, maybe Chloe gets parallelized after Lex does something when he confronts her. Like, maybe he gets rough and pushes her out of a window at the Daily Planet?

Spoiler:

I gotta say, if Chloe does get paralleilized, this would be a great chance for her to become Oracle and replace the comic book version of Barbara Gordon. Chloe made a great Oracle in "Justice" and has proved herself a computer wiz through out the series - so it would make a great fit.
It might even open up Huntress appearing in season 8, and though I doubt it I would love to see Laura Vandervoot (or what ever) play Powergirl for an ep.

If they Change the Credits, I think that they should do it In this Order- Clark, Lois, Jimmy, And Allison Mack as Chloe (Assuming Chloe is Still alive) and They should change the Song and What the Credits look like for the Last season. If KK is Limited those days that she is on she Should be Put 2nd in the Credits.

What about Kara? Change the order sure, Allison Mack deserves the 'and' credit more then anyone on the show. Though I don't think they should change the song, the theme is kinda what makes Smallville, Smallville. Its been with the series since day 1 (or maybe day 2... Didn't they not play the credits in episode 1?), so there is really no point to change.
As for KK, I don't think they should make alternative credits for when shes in and not, thats what Charmed did, and it was cool, but I don't think it would work for Smallville, if she doesn't wanna come back for a full season then there is no need to toss her into the credits, she can just be a Special Guest Star.